Suggestions Chrysler’s ageing retro-look PT Cruiser is for the chop have been dispelled by the announcement of the 11th special edition version and some reported off-the-record comments from the automaker’s executives that the model will continue for the 2008 and possibly 2009 model years.
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The 2008 PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition will be available in the US later this summer as a limited-production version of 500 units.
“[It] joins the Route 66 Edition and Pacific Coast Highway Edition as the third in our Street Cruiser series dedicated to famous highways,” said David Rooney, director – Chrysler marketing and global communications. The car’s launch coincided with the build-up week to Saturday’s annual car enthusiast’s Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise event in Detroit which is usually well-attended by Big Three executives and their latest products.
The car has ‘sunset crystal’ paint with chrome accents, 16-inch chrome nine-spoke wheels with all-season touring tyres, a power moonroof and deep-tint sunscreen glass.
Unique interior features include bright sill scuff pads, bright accent ring cup holders and a chrome shifter bezel on the automatic version. The instrument panel and the passenger airbag door match the body colour.
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By GlobalDataThe new model has a 150hp (120kW) 2.4-litre naturally aspirated engine with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic gearbox. Options include air conditioning, anti-lock brakes with low-speed traction control (ABS), engine block heater, satellite radio and an upgraded sound system.
The PT Cruiser is built at the Toluca assembly plant in Mexico and was also assembled for a brief period on this side of the pond at Magna’s plant in Graz, Austria. Apart from restyled exterior lights and dashboard, it has hardly changed since its 2000 launch.
Chrysler sold 7,113 PT Cruisers in July and year-to-date US sales were 60,305, reportedly off 25% year on year. From production launch in February 2000 to the end of July 2007, 1,211,271 units had been sold worldwide.
